(VIN): Air India will operate additional flights to Canada between October 25, 2020, and March 27, 2021, amid a rising demand for repatriation during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The flights can be booked from the official website of India’s national carrier, booking offices, and authorised travel agents.
A few days ago, the airline announced it would operate additional flights to London, Paris, and Sydney.
Under the air bubble arrangement, stranded Canadian nationals, residents and foreigners with valid Canadian visa will be eligible to enter Canada. Indian nationals with valid travel documents will also be allowed to enter if the airline can ensure that there is no travel restrictions for them before the issuance of tickets or boarding passes.
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India’s minister of civil aviation Hardeep Singh Puri recently told the press New Delhi had finalised air bubbles with 16 countries. Oman and Bhutan have been added to the list along with countries such as the US, Canada, and France. Puri said the government was discussing the possibility of such arrangements with more countries.
An air bubble is a travel corridor between two countries through which flights can continue to operate even during a travel ban. India started repatriating its citizens from various parts of the world amid the global health crisis from May.
More that 17 lakh Indians had been repatriated and close to three lakh had travelled out of the country under the government-organised repatriation initiative called the Vande Bharat Mission, the minister said.
